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Chapter 10

"You have to leave us, John," said Mavis regretfully. (But not regretfully enough, thought Grimes.)

"But," he objected over the cold drink that had been thrust into his hand by the Mayor.

"I can no longer guarantee your safety," she said.

"Neither can I," said Tanner. He grinned rather un
pleasantly. "And Mavis, here, has to start thinkin' about the
next elections." .

"Your Excellency," said the robot butler, entering the room, "there is a Commander Delamere with twelve armed Marines at the after airlock. I refused them admission, of course."

"Of course," agreed his mistress. "And if he refuses to leave see to it that the general purpose robots escort him back to his ship."

"Very good, Your Excellency." (The reply came not from the butler but from the ornately gold-framed mirror. All the robots, Grimes realized, were no more than extensions of Big Sister.)

The Baroness looked at Grimes. She said, "You are fortunate. Big Sister saw you being taken aboard Vega. And when Her Ladyship appealed to me for aid I decided to give it. After all, we on El Dorado—or some of us—are indebted to you."

"Your Excellency. . ." It was the robot butler back. "Commander Delamere claims that our GP robots did considerable damage to his vessel and also injured several officers and ratings."

"The GP robots . . ." murmured Grimes. "And that pair of brass Amazons."

"Golden Amazons," the Baroness corrected him coldly. Then, to the servitor, "Tell Commander Delamere that he may sue if he wishes—but that I shall bring a counter suit He fired upon valuable property—six GP robots and two specialist robots—both with small arms and with a laser cannon. He should consider himself fortunate that no damage Was done to the expensive automata."

And what about damages to me! Grimes asked himself.

"See to it that we are not disturbed again," said the Baroness to the butler. "And now, Acting Port Captain Grimes . . . What are we to do with you? Her Ladyship has asked me to give you passage off Botany Bay—but The Far Traveler has no accommodation for passengers. However . . . It so happens that Captain Billinger has resigned from my service and that I have accepted his resignation. . ." Billinger actually looked happy. "And, although the post is a sinecure, Lloyd's of London insists that I carry a human Master on the Register. As Acting Chief of Customs the City Constable will enter your name on that document."

"I've already done so," said Tanner.

"You know where the Master's quarters are," said Billinger. "I've already cleared my gear out. Sorry that there's no time for a proper handover but Big Sister will tell you all you need to know."

"I'm sorry, John," said Mavis. "Really sorry. But you can't stay here. And you'll be far happier back in Space."

Shall I? wondered Grimes. In this ship!

He asked, "But the spaceport . . . There are ships due, and with no Port Captain . . ."

"The vacancy has been filled, John," said Mavis.

Billinger grinned.

She got to her feet Grimes got to his. She put out her arms and pulled him to her, kissed him, long and warmly. But there was something missing. There was a lot missing. Tanner escorted her to the door, turning briefly to give an offhand wave. Mayor and City Constable, thought Grimes. They should suit each other.

"Good-bye, John," said Shirley. She, too, kissed him. He felt regret that now things could go no further. "Don't worry about Mavis. She'll make out—and Jock Tanner's moving back in." She laughed, but not maliciously. "If you're ever back on Botany Bay look me up."

And then she was gone.

"Very touching," commented the Baroness. And was that a faint—a very faint—note of envy in her voice?

"Good-bye, Your Excellency," said Billinger. "It's been a pleasure . . ."

"Don't lie to me, Captain."

"Good-bye, Grimes. Do as Big Sister says and you'll not go wrong."

"Good-bye, Billinger. You're in charge now. Don't let Delamere put anything over on you . . ."

Grimes nursed his drink. He heard Big Sister say—stating a fact and not giving an order—"All visitors ashore."

"Well, Captain," asked the Baroness. "Aren't you going up to your control room?"

"When do you wish to lift off, Your Excellency?" he asked. "And to what destination do you wish me to set trajectory?"

Then he realized that the inertial drive was in operation, that the ship was lifting. Almost in panic he got to his feet.

"Do not worry," said the Baroness. "She has her orders. She will manage quite well without your interference."

What have I gotten myself into now! Grimes wondered.

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Framed